Honda CR-V Plus+ Edition brings sharper value to SUV staple

Honda has improved the value equation of its entry-level CR-V VTi two- and four-wheel-drive range with the addition of a value-packed Plus+ special edition. 

The Honda CR-V VTi Plus gets extra features over the regular VTi such as 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, metallic paint (flat paint is not available) and special badges in return for a $1000 price hike.

The Plus+ package is available on either the 114kW/190Nm front-drive model or 140kW/222Nm AWD offering, matched only to the optional five-speed automatic transmission. The $1000 price increase means they retail for $30,790 plus on-road costs and $33,790 plus ORC respectively.

“The CR-V is consistently our top-selling model,” said Honda Australia director Stephen Collins. “And for a limited time, the CR-V is available with extra features representing great value for money.”

Honda’s local arm will no doubt be hoping the Plus+ will give its CR-V sales a shot in the arm. CR-V sales are down 32.5 per cent this year to 5037 units in a market segment that is by comparison down 1.8 per cent YTD.

It is still the fifth most popular medium SUV available, however, behind the Mazda CX-5 (11,006), Toyota RAV4 (9327), Subaru Forester (6828) and Nissan X-Trail (6442).